<p>Is it a bad idea for engineers to take FOCUS? I am good at math and science and ok at English. If I take FOCUS, it seems I will be competing for grades with liberal arts majors who are really strong writers, communicators, etc. That seems like a bad way to start out (strictly speaking of gpa ... not that FOCUS wouldn't be a great experience). But I want to get off to a good start gradewise at Duke. Am I setting myself up for failure to do FOCUS?</p>
<p>No, actually. Be prepared to work very hard in FOCUS but if you put in the effort, because you get to know your teachers very well, it is very likely you'll do just fine (A or A-). I couldn't recommend FOCUS more!</p>
<p>How many classes does FOCUS take up?
3 or 4?</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>Its supposed to take up 3, plus a seiminar I think</p>
<p>You have one class that is non-focus</p>
<p>I'm not doing focus, so I may not be completely right</p>
<p>you take 4.5 credits, whereas other freshman will be taking 4.</p>
<p>Yeah but your additional 0.5 credit is a complete joke-- weekly dinner with a FOCUS advisor and your FOCUS group. As long as you go, maybe submit a short response or two, you'll get the credit. You take 3 FOCUS courses: A writing 20, and two seminars (which count for your necessary freshman seminar requirement). </p>
<p>Usually Engineers don't take FOCUS, and they need to have certain AP placement to even be eligible.</p>
<p>Do you get to pick which seminars you want to take out of the 4 offered?</p>
<p>And how much of a problem would it be if i wanted to take 2 extra classes (as opposed to just one)?</p>
<p>You do get to pick which you take. When you apply, you rank the courses in the order of how much you want to take them. After deciding the 30 or so kids who get accepted to the program, they try and place you into your classes so that you get into your highest choices (based on what others choose). </p>
<p>I don't think freshmen are allowed to overload their first semester (taking 2 extra classes)-- it's a general rule, not just a focus rule.</p>